"It was your Ling Peak disciple who provoked me first. I was merely acting in self-defense."
Gu Sheng faced Elder Jin’s questioning without backing down and directly stated the truth.
"Self-defense? Nice excuse!"
Elder Jin clearly did not accept this explanation.
His face darkened as he surged with Divine Power.
In an instant, phenomena erupted across the heavens and earth, the winds and clouds shifted, as if even the world itself was under his control.
Gu Sheng’s expression grew tense.
Facing a formidable figure like this, he knew his chances of winning were slim to none.
"Gu Sheng, what should we do now?"
Ji Ziyue asked anxiously, her eyes filled with worry.
"Hoo..."
Gu Sheng took a deep breath and murmured, "That old bastard is obviously aiming for trouble; stay alert!"
Now positioned, Gu Sheng assumed a defensive stance.
"Whoosh!"
At that moment, a beam of golden light suddenly flashed across the sky, piercing through and landing next to Gu Sheng.
The golden light dissipated, revealing the figure of Li Ruoyu.
"Senior?"
Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue burst into joy upon seeing Li Ruoyu arrive.
To them, his presence felt like holding onto a lifeline.
"Senior Brother Li?"
The three Five Elements Elders immediately bowed in greeting upon spotting Li Ruoyu.
Li Ruoyu responded with a slight nod, acknowledging them casually.
"Elder Jin, this is all just a misunderstanding. There’s no need to fuss over juniors like this, is there?"
Li Ruoyu spoke calmly.
"This..."
Elder Jin’s expression changed, he hadn’t expected Li Ruoyu to show up here.
The other two elders exchanged uneasy glances.
By qualification, they should address Li Ruoyu as Senior Brother.
By strength, they knew they still fell short relative to Li Ruoyu.
After a brief contemplation, Elder Jin reluctantly said, "Senior Brother Li is right. I shouldn’t concern myself with juniors."
Although Elder Jin said this, his gaze betrayed a hint of unwillingness, bowing only to the pressure Li Ruoyu’s presence exerted.
"Gu Sheng, apologize to the elders."
Li Ruoyu turned to Gu Sheng, instructing him firmly.
"Senior, but they... they..."
"Apologize!"
Li Ruoyu declared coldly.
Helplessly, Gu Sheng approached the elders.
Ji Ziyue hesitated but followed him, taking a few steps forward as well.
"I’m sorry, elders,"
Gu Sheng bowed his head slightly.
"Gu Sheng, you are well-established. I hope you will elevate Zhuo Peak in the future."
Elder Jin remarked, his gaze thoughtful and deep.
"Yes, I will heed the elder’s teachings."
Gu Sheng nodded slightly.
The disciples of Ling Peak exchanged astonished looks.
No one had expected the incident to end this way.
But in the presence of someone like Li Ruoyu, none dared to utter dissent.
"What’s that?"
Suddenly, the disciples of Ling Peak directed their gaze toward Zhuo Peak.
Following their line of sight, Gu Sheng looked over.
He saw Zhuo Peak illuminated brilliantly, the sky adorned with radiant light beams and streaks of divine color, as though a great presence were descending.
This spectacle, even amidst Ling Peak—one of the main peaks—was extraordinarily rare.
The Five Elements Elders and other cultivators reflected varied looks of astonishment.
No one could fathom what was happening at Zhuo Peak, to give rise to such a resplendent scene.
"What’s going on?"
Elder Jin furrowed his brows, his gaze full of envy.
"Could there be another formidable figure at Zhuo Peak?"
Another Five Elements Elder commented.
"It’s possible. Such a phenomenon can only be instigated by great powers on par with the Supreme Elder level."
Elder Jin nodded slightly.
But Li Ruoyu remained composed, as though he had anticipated all this.
"Gu Sheng, Ji Ziyue, let’s go."
Li Ruoyu spoke lightly.
Then, taking Gu Sheng and Ji Ziyue along, Li Ruoyu flew toward Zhuo Peak.
They streaked through the sky, golden light trailing behind them, disappearing from sight soon after.
"It’s nothing; I just... suddenly remembered I need to sort through some things."
Ji Ziyue answered evasively.
"Uh..."
Gu Sheng looked at her, his gaze tinged with skepticism.
"Sorting things? Since when are you so fond of tidying up?"
Gu Sheng teased.
"Ugh, just drop it."
Ji Ziyue said, glancing at the sky for a moment before entering the wooden hut.
Gu Sheng sensed she might be hiding something.
Everyone has their secrets, and if Ji Ziyue didn’t want to share, he wouldn’t press the issue.
"Alright, well, if you ever need help, just let me know."
Gu Sheng said warmly.
"Thank you, Gu Sheng,"
Ji Ziyue responded with a touch of gratitude in her eyes.
Gu Sheng smiled lightly before turning to rejoin Li Ruoyu.
"Swish!"
Just as Gu Sheng approached Li Ruoyu, the latter suddenly flicked his hand.
Instantly, an invisible force surged toward Gu Sheng.
This was the pressure emanating from Li Ruoyu’s energy surge.
Gu Sheng collided head-on with this energy.
As a result, his body was gently swept upward and repositioned near the wooden hut.
"Gu Sheng, stay inside the hut."
Li Ruoyu’s voice echoed into Gu Sheng’s ears.
"Hey! What are you standing there for? Hurry, come inside, hurry!"
Ji Ziyue, who overheard this, quickly urged him on.
"You... what’s happening with both of you?"
Gu Sheng looked bewildered but complied, stepping into the hut as instructed.
"Don’t talk! Shh..."
Ji Ziyue placed her slender finger against her lips and breathed out a soft hush in a flustered manner.
Just as Ji Ziyue’s words fell, a full cascade of radiance blanketed the sky above Zhuo Peak.
"This..."
Gu Sheng gazed out the small window, his face filled with astonishment.

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